‘Catwoman’ Through The Years

Julie Newmar was the first actress to play the feline vixen in the 1960s "Batman" television series. She took on the Catwoman role from 1966-1967. She was replaced by Eartha Kitt for the third and final season of the show. And Lee Meriweather portrayed the character in the 1966 "Batman" movie, opposite Adam West. (Photo credit by AP Photo)

Eartha Kitt

Eartha Kitt replaced Julie Newmar for the third and final season of the 1960s "Batman" television series and may be best remembered for her turn in that role. (Photo credit by AP Photo)

Halle Berry played the character in the 2004 flop "Catwoman," costarring Benjamin Bratt and Sharon Stone. (Photo credit by AP Photo)

Anne Hathaway

Anne Hathaway is the next actress to offer a new interpretation of Catwoman in Christopher Nolan's "The Dark Knight Rises," opposite Christian Bale. First Images of Anne Hathaway as Catwoman from "The Dark Knight Rises". As seen in the production stills just released by Warner Bros, Anne Hathaway's Catwoman character in "Dark Knight Rises" is a complete and total departure from the Catwomen of Batman films past.

Gone is the slinky sexiness exuded by '60's villainesses Julie Newmar, Lee Meriwether and Eartha Kitt. There's also nary a trace of the goth-themed Michelle Pfieffer Catwoman from "Batman Returns." And as for Halle Berry's Razzie Award-winning version? Well, the less about that, the better. (Photo credit by CBS/Warner Bros.)

Anne Hathaway

Going by the photos, it appears this Catwoman will be more of the "pull no punches" physical variety than the purring sexpot seen in previous films. While the skin-tight outfit seems to have endured, there are no stiletto heels, no bullwhip and no fake ears found on Hathaway's version; replaced instead with a more streamlined hair-pulled-back 'do and a pair of LED-lighted masking sunglasses as she straddles a very muscular-looking motorcycle similar to the one ridden by the Caped Crusader in "the Dark Knight."

The internet has been abuzz with commentary - both positive and negative - over the choice of Anne Hathaway to portray such an iconic comic book and film villain. Prior to the announcement of her casting, the rumor mill (and fanboys everywhere)'s leading frontrunners were Angelina Joile and Megan Fox.

In fact, '60's Catwoman Julie Newmar publicly endorsed Jolie to be cast to fill her shoes for the third film in director Christopher Nolan's "Dark Knight" franchise, saying in interviews "Angelina would own the part." (Photo credit by CBS/Warner Bros.)

Anne Hathaway (Dark Knight Rises)

Anne Hathaway as Catwoman in "Dark Knight Rises"

Early estimations of Hathaway as Catwoman have been less-than-stellar, but the same was said three years ago when it was announced that late Aussie actor Heath Ledger would play the Joker in “The Dark Knight.” His uncharacteristic, frenetic performance reversed the opinions of all the naysayers and ultimately resulted in a posthumous Best Supporting Actor Oscar for Ledger. It’ll be another year before anyone can be proven either right or wrong on Hathaway’s performance: “The Dark Knight Rises” isn’t due in theaters until next summer. (Photo credit by CBS/Warner Bros.)

The Dark Knight Rises

Christian Bale as billionaire Bruce Wayne - a scion of the "1%" - and Anne Hathaway as Selina Kyle - a cat burglar with her own antipathy for the super-rich - in "The Dark Knight Rises."

"I would have played a footstool in this movie," said Anne Hathaway, the latest actress to portray Catwoman (though she is not referred to by that name). Her character of Selina Kyle - a cat burglar - is not a dichotomy of two contrasting personas the way Bruce Wayne/Batman is.

"I loved that the focus was who she was as Selina, and that there wasn't a schism within her, that she didn't change when she put on that suit. It was kind of her uniform that she had to wear for her job."

When asked how she handled her action scenes in high heels, she laughed that running around the streets of Manhattan for "The Devil Wears Prada" was "really good training for that!" (credit: Warner Brothers)